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TKF Project (Tool Kit Framework) - Part 1

TKF is:

  1. an application hosting framework
  2. a software development framework

The first use allows for the development of any application which is required to manage records and record sets, for example:

  1. Bibliography
  2. Accounting
  3. Collection management eg stamps, coins, collectibles
  4. Project management
  5. Personal information management

The framework provides the key structures for:

  1. record management in a database, currently sqlite and mysql
  2. a spreadsheet-like graphical interface to the tables and records of the database
  3. editing and updating of records
  4. printing of records
  5. management of files including the editing and display of files
  6. generation of adhoc result sets from saved queries

Once TKF is installed it can function as a host (ie a container) for any number of applications. The screenshot below (Figure 1) shows a TKF instance that is hosting several applications.





The framework also provides for other more general functions, for example:

  • Associating file types with applications you choose. This function is designed to enhance the usual kind file association typically found as an operating system feature. It offers a couple of key advantages:
    • It extends the operating system function by permitting you to choose other alternative programs for edit and open operations.
    • Security is improved since you can install programs as a limited rights user and execute these from within a TKF host. This requires that the program you are installing can be installed by a limited rights user, ie the program doesn't require access to a restricted folder.
  • Keeping track of website bookmarks. This might seem trivial but in some circumstances it is very useful to keep your website bookmarks separate from the web browser. For example:
    • You are a web developer and need to test your websites using various browsers. Although you may not need to do it can be tedious exporting/importing bookmarks between browsers.
    • Using TKF's Open site function you can open a website (ie launch a browser) from within TKF.